A Touch of Rain

Sonnet and Haiku

Sonnet

The desert scent is scent of resined wood,
Vital and verdant, rich with unguent
Of endless sunlight, precious rainfall, blent
In growing branch and twig that breathe the good
Sweet sky and earth.  When ancient mountains stood
And blessed all things, a sanctity was sent
Into the veins of living wood, that pent
Within their leaves the fragrant sacring should
Release upon the wide-winged winds.  And yet
It is an odor rare, is rich and keen;
It waits for holy days of rain, for wet
Bright leaves and branches’ skin in silver sheen,
For leaves unfurling like a hand that’s met
The touch of love, a scent of love unseen.

The first summer rain–
after nightfall the toad tests
a new tenor voice

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The first summer rain–
Listen! In the old grasses
crickets are blooming.

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